PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- Health officials say the coronavirus is spreading rapidly during the fall surge, with cases rising and a record number of hospitalizations.
The COVID Tracking Project reported Tuesday that there were 61,964 Americans at the hospital with the illness.
Related
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced on Tuesday that hospitalizations were up to 1,800, with nearly 400 people in intensive care, and 4,361 new COVID-19 cases -- the highest daily increase to date.
There have been more than 100,000 new confirmed cases each day for the last week in the United States. That is about double the numbers that were being reported a month ago. Dr. Michael Osterholm, a member of President-elect Joe Biden’s coronavirus advisory board, told "CBS This Morning" on Tuesday that 200,000 cases a day could be on the horizon.
Public health officials in the Philadelphia region and around the country continue to stress the need for keeping up social distance, washing hands, sanitizing frequently, doing things outdoors rather than indoors, and wearing masks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, citing recent research, is now emphasizing that masks provide protection for the wearer, not just those around them.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, had a similar message on MSNBC.
“Recent data has now shown that as a matter of fact there’s also the added benefit to protect you from droplets and virus that’s coming your way. So, it’s a two-way street,” Fauci said.
Until a vaccine is widely distributed, health officials say masks may be the most effective tool to limit the spread of the virus. They also say that universal mask-wearing may help prevent widespread economic lockdowns.
Related
Fauci said he expects the Pfizer vaccine in development, which the company on Monday said could be 90% effective at preventing infections, will go through the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency-use authorization process within the next few weeks. He said some among the highest risk groups may get access to the vaccine as early as next month.